The Photonic Laser Thruster (PLT) efficiently uses photons as propellant and thus promises to enable innovative space endeavors beyond the reach of propellant-based conventional thrusters. Previously, the proof-of-principle demonstration of PLT used a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) rod gain medium and resulted in the maximum thrust of 35    μ N . This Paper reports 100 times scaling up of PLT using a ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb:YAG) thin-disk gain medium and thought first demonstration of propelling and stopping a 0.75 kg mock cube satellite over 2 m in a Class-1000 cleanroom. A thrust stand for PLT was established with a radiation pressure sensor that reduced the thermal convection effect and the configuration complexity. The maximum achieved thrust and specific thrust were 3.36 ± 0.18    mN and 7.1 ± 0.6    mN / kW , respectively. Further development of PLT using existing high-power laser technologies is projected to increase its specific thrust to 68 ± 10    mN / kW , on a par with electric thrusters. The present results conclude that innovative PLT applications, such as propellant-free orbit maneuvering and stationkeeping, are within the reach of existing spacecraft and high-power laser technologies. In addition, the feasibility of PLT-based launchers and landers is discussed.


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    Titel :

    Photonic Laser Thruster: 100 Times Scaling-Up and Propulsion Demonstration


    Beteiligte:
    Bae, Young K. (Autor:in)

    Erschienen in:

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    01.05.2021




    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)


    Format :

    Elektronische Ressource


    Sprache :

    Englisch






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